NR 305 Health Assessment Week 9 Study Guide 2026 |Chamberlain
College
1. When assessing the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), which three areas are
evaluated?
A. Memory, orientation, and mood
B. Pupillary reaction, reflex response, and gait
C. Eye opening, verbal response, and motor response
D. Blood pressure, heart rate, and respirations
Answer: C
Rationale: The Glasgow Coma Scale assesses level of consciousness through eye opening,
verbal response, and motor response scores.
2. Which cranial nerve is being tested when the nurse asks the patient to smile,
frown, and puff out their cheeks?
A. Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal)
B. Cranial Nerve XII (Hypoglossal)
C. Cranial Nerve X (Vagus)
D. Cranial Nerve VII (Facial)
Answer: D
Rationale: Cranial Nerve VII, the facial nerve, controls the muscles of facial expression.
,3. A positive Romberg test is indicated by:
A. The patient maintaining balance with eyes closed
B. The patient losing balance and stepping out when eyes are closed
C. The patient feeling dizzy when looking at the ceiling
D. The patient having difficulty following a moving object
Answer: B
Rationale: A positive Romberg test occurs when a patient loses balance after closing their
eyes, suggesting cerebellar ataxia or sensory loss.
4. What is the normal response when testing the plantar reflex (Babinski) in a
healthy adult?
A. Dorsiflexion of the big toe and fanning of other toes
B. Plantar flexion of the toes (curling downward)
C. Withdrawal of the foot from the stimulus
D. No movement of the toes at all
Answer: B
Rationale: In adults, the normal response is plantar flexion. Dorsiflexion is a positive
Babinski sign, which is abnormal in adults but normal in infants.
5. When grading deep tendon reflexes, what score is considered ‘normal’ or
‘average’?
A. 1+
B. 4+
C. 3+
D. 2+
Answer: D
Rationale: A score of 2+ indicates a normal, average reflex response.
, 6. Which condition is characterized by an exaggerated posterior curvature of the
thoracic spine, often seen in older adults?
A. Lordosis
B. Scoliosis
C. Kyphosis
D. Spondylolisthesis
Answer: C
Rationale: Kyphosis is an exaggerated outward curvature of the thoracic spine, commonly
called hunchback.
7. To assess the function of Cranial Nerve XI (Spinal Accessory), the nurse
should:
A. Ask the patient to shrug their shoulders against resistance
B. Ask the patient to stick out their tongue
C. Test the gag reflex
D. Check for facial symmetry
Answer: A
Rationale: CN XI is tested by having the patient shrug their shoulders and turn their head
against resistance.
8. What is the clinical term for ‘joint crunching’ or grating sensations felt during
movement?
A. Subluxation
B. Effusion
C. Crepitus
D. Contracture
Answer: C
Rationale: Crepitus is a dry, crackling or grating sound or sensation produced by friction
between bone and cartilage.
College
1. When assessing the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), which three areas are
evaluated?
A. Memory, orientation, and mood
B. Pupillary reaction, reflex response, and gait
C. Eye opening, verbal response, and motor response
D. Blood pressure, heart rate, and respirations
Answer: C
Rationale: The Glasgow Coma Scale assesses level of consciousness through eye opening,
verbal response, and motor response scores.
2. Which cranial nerve is being tested when the nurse asks the patient to smile,
frown, and puff out their cheeks?
A. Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal)
B. Cranial Nerve XII (Hypoglossal)
C. Cranial Nerve X (Vagus)
D. Cranial Nerve VII (Facial)
Answer: D
Rationale: Cranial Nerve VII, the facial nerve, controls the muscles of facial expression.
,3. A positive Romberg test is indicated by:
A. The patient maintaining balance with eyes closed
B. The patient losing balance and stepping out when eyes are closed
C. The patient feeling dizzy when looking at the ceiling
D. The patient having difficulty following a moving object
Answer: B
Rationale: A positive Romberg test occurs when a patient loses balance after closing their
eyes, suggesting cerebellar ataxia or sensory loss.
4. What is the normal response when testing the plantar reflex (Babinski) in a
healthy adult?
A. Dorsiflexion of the big toe and fanning of other toes
B. Plantar flexion of the toes (curling downward)
C. Withdrawal of the foot from the stimulus
D. No movement of the toes at all
Answer: B
Rationale: In adults, the normal response is plantar flexion. Dorsiflexion is a positive
Babinski sign, which is abnormal in adults but normal in infants.
5. When grading deep tendon reflexes, what score is considered ‘normal’ or
‘average’?
A. 1+
B. 4+
C. 3+
D. 2+
Answer: D
Rationale: A score of 2+ indicates a normal, average reflex response.
, 6. Which condition is characterized by an exaggerated posterior curvature of the
thoracic spine, often seen in older adults?
A. Lordosis
B. Scoliosis
C. Kyphosis
D. Spondylolisthesis
Answer: C
Rationale: Kyphosis is an exaggerated outward curvature of the thoracic spine, commonly
called hunchback.
7. To assess the function of Cranial Nerve XI (Spinal Accessory), the nurse
should:
A. Ask the patient to shrug their shoulders against resistance
B. Ask the patient to stick out their tongue
C. Test the gag reflex
D. Check for facial symmetry
Answer: A
Rationale: CN XI is tested by having the patient shrug their shoulders and turn their head
against resistance.
8. What is the clinical term for ‘joint crunching’ or grating sensations felt during
movement?
A. Subluxation
B. Effusion
C. Crepitus
D. Contracture
Answer: C
Rationale: Crepitus is a dry, crackling or grating sound or sensation produced by friction
between bone and cartilage.
